At first glance, Katja appears to be a child of the Yodotai that someone accidentally dressed in Ra’Shari costume. With her auburn hair, freckled skin and aquiline features, the young woman wouldn’t be out of place in any city in the Empire. However, that illusion is shattered the moment she opens her mouth. Her Mekhem is heavily accented and spoken with the musical inflections of a native of the Caravans.
Since arriving in the Sands, Katja has put away most of her colorful dresses and jackets in favor of a variation of the kaftan popular amongst the Caravan of Entertainment; the entari. The simple garment is often paired with colorful belts and sashes and heavily embroidered vests that emphasize her generous curves. Her choice in wardrobe goes a long way to counter the impression of youth her height (4'8") grants her. In a further effort to negate this effect, she keeps her hair in a severe braid. Her unsmiling face also seems to help and has the added benefit of reinforcing her reputation as an uncanny woman with strange abilities.
The Blue Wagon
The original blue wagon
The blue painted wagon was both Katja's home and place of business through the events of the Burning Jewel and the Great Race.
Originally, it was parked in a vacant lot and half-hidden between two large sycamores in the Ra'shari District. The wagon was a cheerful sight with a colorful toran strung over its doors and around the porch. A curtain made of thick strips of colorful fabric, weight with heavy carved beads, and a second of gossamer thin linen obscured the wagon's interior. The porch was fairly spacious with bench seats installed at either end.
Someone has also seen fit to place a sign closer to the main road reading:
Physiker Charms, Potions & Medicines Found Here auguries read upon arrangement (no live animals available for sale)
After the events of the Great Race, Katja gave up her vardo and returned it, with a new drabarni, to her old Caravan. The witch has set up shop on a street leading from the Ra'shari section of the Foreign District to Peddler's Row. In the months that followed, the modest two-story building has been turned into a rather respectable apothecary called the Blue Wagon.
Katja was one of the few Qadi allies to remain anonymous during the silent struggle to determine which faction would control the future of the Assassins. The miniature red-head proved essential in gaining the support of the Yodotai Mercenaries, brokering a deal that made the Ra'shari their agents. Whatever else she might have done to aid the Caliphate Guards was lost to the sands the night she spoke in tongues in Duqaq's School of Astronomy. She fled the school with the help of the mad Qabalist, Kamalata and took sanctuary in the Ebonite Temple and the Templar, Pious the Leper.
Ward of the Ebonites
Not long after the conflict ended, the elders of the Caravans decided that it was best if Katja remained in the City. Unknown to many, the prophecy she had spoken so publicly had not been the first. There had been two other incidents before that, each growing in strength. None were foolish enough to ignore the signs that her fate lay with the City. After some discussion, it was decided that the Ebonites would be the best choice to watch over the girl and her gifts. They were more suited to dealing with the subject of her prophecies than any other group and the least likely to take advantage of her. So it was Katja found herself a Ward of the Ebonites and given into Templar Numair's keeping.
Despite the presence of her guardian, however, whispers still follow the Ra'shari diviner. Many outside the Temple wonder how long it will be before the Ebonites will cast out the witch they're now protecting.
The Great Race
The Great Race was the first time the Ra'shari healer left Medinant al Salaam since her appearance in the city. Her reputation as both a skilled healer and surgeon proved to be well-founded. Katja proved to be a popular choice amongst the riders when they needed their mounts or wounds tended. Although she kept mostly to herself, few in the caravan missed the explosive arguments between the red-head and her lover, Pious the Leper. Strangely, the pair appear to have reconciled shortly after a meeting of Ebonites in the Ra'shari's wagon.
Katja
Table of Contents
Since arriving in the Sands, Katja has put away most of her colorful dresses and jackets in favor of a variation of the kaftan popular amongst the Caravan of Entertainment; the entari. The simple garment is often paired with colorful belts and sashes and heavily embroidered vests that emphasize her generous curves. Her choice in wardrobe goes a long way to counter the impression of youth her height (4'8") grants her. In a further effort to negate this effect, she keeps her hair in a severe braid. Her unsmiling face also seems to help and has the added benefit of reinforcing her reputation as an uncanny woman with strange abilities.
The Blue Wagon
Originally, it was parked in a vacant lot and half-hidden between two large sycamores in the Ra'shari District. The wagon was a cheerful sight with a colorful toran strung over its doors and around the porch. A curtain made of thick strips of colorful fabric, weight with heavy carved beads, and a second of gossamer thin linen obscured the wagon's interior. The porch was fairly spacious with bench seats installed at either end.
Someone has also seen fit to place a sign closer to the main road reading:
Physiker
Charms, Potions & Medicines Found Here
auguries read upon arrangement
(no live animals available for sale)
After the events of the Great Race, Katja gave up her vardo and returned it, with a new drabarni, to her old Caravan. The witch has set up shop on a street leading from the Ra'shari section of the Foreign District to Peddler's Row. In the months that followed, the modest two-story building has been turned into a rather respectable apothecary called the Blue Wagon.
Appearances
(Forum Game)
(Forum Game)
The Burning Jewel
Katja was one of the few Qadi allies to remain anonymous during the silent struggle to determine which faction would control the future of the Assassins. The miniature red-head proved essential in gaining the support of the Yodotai Mercenaries, brokering a deal that made the Ra'shari their agents. Whatever else she might have done to aid the Caliphate Guards was lost to the sands the night she spoke in tongues in Duqaq's School of Astronomy. She fled the school with the help of the mad Qabalist, Kamalata and took sanctuary in the Ebonite Temple and the Templar, Pious the Leper.Ward of the Ebonites
Not long after the conflict ended, the elders of the Caravans decided that it was best if Katja remained in the City. Unknown to many, the prophecy she had spoken so publicly had not been the first. There had been two other incidents before that, each growing in strength. None were foolish enough to ignore the signs that her fate lay with the City. After some discussion, it was decided that the Ebonites would be the best choice to watch over the girl and her gifts. They were more suited to dealing with the subject of her prophecies than any other group and the least likely to take advantage of her. So it was Katja found herself a Ward of the Ebonites and given into Templar Numair's keeping.Despite the presence of her guardian, however, whispers still follow the Ra'shari diviner. Many outside the Temple wonder how long it will be before the Ebonites will cast out the witch they're now protecting.
The Great Race
The Great Race was the first time the Ra'shari healer left Medinant al Salaam since her appearance in the city. Her reputation as both a skilled healer and surgeon proved to be well-founded. Katja proved to be a popular choice amongst the riders when they needed their mounts or wounds tended. Although she kept mostly to herself, few in the caravan missed the explosive arguments between the red-head and her lover, Pious the Leper. Strangely, the pair appear to have reconciled shortly after a meeting of Ebonites in the Ra'shari's wagon.